The arrival of Juan Martin Lucero a University of Chile shook the national football transfer market. The Argentine center forward, who is remembered in the Creole pastures for his past with the Colo Coloit was one of the great desires of the sports director Manuel Mayo to add it as one of the goal cards for the blue attack.
After extensive negotiations that led to the termination of his contractual relationship with the Brazil Fortressthat wish on the part of the management of Azul Azul materialized: Juan Martín “El Gato” Lucero He will sign for the next two years as the new lay gunner.
His hiring represents a leap in the hierarchy at the forefront of the university students. After the departures of Lucas Di Yorio, Leandro Fernández, Rodrigo Contreras and Nicolás Guerra, the Chuncho cast decided to renew the artillery with names that have a long history in the local environment: Rivero and Lucero were champions with Cacique in 2017 and 2022respectively; while Eduardo Vargas won a two-time championship with the U and the Copa Sudamericana in 2011.
However, the impact of his arrival transcends strictly football. Despite being the bombastic reinforcement of the season, his return has sparked a series of ethical and sporting questionsespecially from the alba path. At the Monumental stadium, the wound left by his departure at the beginning of 2023 has not yet healed, and his signing for the archrival is seen by many as confirmation of a definitive break with the Alba identity.
For the history of Colo Colo, wearing the blue shirt after a conflictive exit is a sin that is difficult to forgive.
Reproaches
One of the first representatives of the Cacique who decided to raise his voice was Raul Ormeño. The former midfielder, champion with the albos in the historic 1991 Copa Libertadores, exhibits total detachment when asked about the arrival of the attacker from Junín to the Romántico Viajero. “He left Colo Colo very badly, so I have nothing to do with him or with the U. Nothing links me to him. For me, since he left, he doesn’t exist anymore”, he assures briefly, with a tone of indifference.
Leonel Herrerawho was also a crucial member of that American champion team, agrees that Lucero’s controversial departure from the Monumental stadium is reason enough to lower his profile on his return to Chilean soccer. “He is a very good footballer, but he is not an idol or reference for the club either. I think he becomes someone irrelevant in the recent history of Colo Colo. Although it cannot be denied that he is an outstanding player, His departure was so strange that it does not merit focusing on what he does or does not do.. Nowadays, we have our eyes set on fighting for a championship with the team that is being assembled and getting back into the Copa Libertadores,” he says.
However, although he maintains that the trans-Andean lacks institutional historical weight, Herrera recognizes that the emotional plane of the fan is governed by other codes. For the former defender, the memory of the white-haired fan will be implacable due to the ways in which the forward managed his departure for Brazil. “The Colocolino fan does not forget. Nobody knew what was happening to him, because he said he was staying and the next day he leaves without giving any explanation and, later, he appears with the lawsuit. The fan is going to make him feel that discomfort and disgust when it’s his turn to come.”he declared, anticipating a hostile reception for the Cat when it is his turn to visit Macul, on March 1, for the fifth round of the First League.
Along the same lines, another emblem of the Cacique who gave his opinion was Carlos Caszelywho also downplayed it: “They are professionals, they have to go where they get paid the most, because then no one helps them when they stop playing soccer. Likewise, we must not forget that Lucero went badly from Colo Colo, so it doesn’t matter.”
The white idol puts his shield above all else, although, like Herrera, he points out that Lucero may have a hard time when the day comes when he has to face his former team. “Colo Colo is too big to worry about these little things. It will be difficult when it is his turn to play at the Monumental, although it depends on the personality of each player and how that type of environment affects them. We have to see how he comes, because he was on reserve in Brazil. I give it very little importance”, concludes the ‘King of the square meter’.
Octavio Rivero is not saved from Colo Colo’s criticism either
In line with the signing of Lucero to the University of Chile, another with a white past who arrived at the Azul Sports Center in this transfer market is Octavio Rivero. The Uruguayan, who separated from the Barcelona of Guayaquilwill command, along with Gato and Turboman, the leadership of the laity by 2026.
Rivero, who knew how to shine with the alba shirt between 2016 and 2018, is remembered for having sworn eternal love to Colo Colo at the time of his departure. However, eight years later, he was surprised to distance himself from those sayings when he was presented as a student reinforcement. “There is an interview that I gave in 2023. It would be good if you could see it. The headline is: ‘Octavio Rivero said he would not play for the U’. But I said yes. They cling to a title because people consume it because it is what sells. That’s why you say things without thinking. Obviously today I am very happy to be here“, the Uruguayan explained bluntly.
However, despite having rectified their actions, from the side of Colo Colo’s history they also decided to take their toll. “These are phrases for the gallery according to the moment and the situation in which one finds oneself.. Suddenly there is more talk than necessary. “The moment the U approaches him to offer him a contract, I feel like he didn’t even remember the moment he said that.”points out, again, Leonel Herrera.
For the former councilor of the commune of Santiago, the interest of the Colocolina store is not focused on what the archrival does, but rather they focus on what will be 2026 in which they will only compete in local competitions. “As I said before, I think he also becomes irrelevant even though he is a good player. At Colo Colo we are awaiting our incorporations”, closes
